1992-1999Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and
common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres
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I think I posted this question before but I 'm going to post it again...I have this really annoying fast 2-3 second "chirping" noise/vibration that comes and goes seemingly somewhere in the front end - sounds and feels more like the front drivers side somewhere, maybe a wheel or wheels. With the windows open that is definitely where you can hear it coming from - the front driver side wheel area. Oh, I have a 1992 Bonneville SE with EXACTLY 60,250 original miles on it.

This happens usually and always when speeding up or slowing down anywhere around 30-40 mph (sometimes it doesn't matter at what speed but I've not been as conscious of it happening at faster constant highway speeds although it does) and usually always when the car is changing gears while my foot is on the gas pedal (naturally).

What I have also noticed is that right before the chirping is heard and definitely felt, there is a quick but easily identifiable muffled kind of "whomp" rubbing noise that'* heard. Along with this sporadic chirping, there is alsways a vibration felt in the steering wheel when it happens.

Does anyone have any idea what the hell is might be? My mechanic said something about a torque converter symptom and I've also heard that it very well might be the front wheel bearings going...Anyone else ever had this problem and if so, what was the exact problem and resulting remedy. THANKS!

Location: New Jersey - Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted

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Has you're Mechanic actually looked at your front end??? It'* not the wheel bearings, otherwise you would hear this constant humming sound. Especially if you made a left or right turn. This could be the wear indicator making contact with one of your rotors signalling that it'* time to replace the front brake pads. Has anyone checked the brakes yet?

Actually the front and rear brakes were just changed with new rotors last fall and I just had the fronts all inspected when I had my tires rotated in July...This is definitely NOT a brake issue though. That I do know.

You know, I'm not sure if there is a humming or not coming from the front end....Sometimes when you drive a car for a long time you become sort of numb or accustomed to noises that you think were there. I'm going to go out and ride around a little tonight just to give a good listen if I can.

When I turn the car to park I think I actually might hear a low humming sound that I always thought was part of the turning process. There is no clunking or popping noises that some people claim to be part of bearings going bad (when turning) as far as I can tell.

But whatever this high pitched chriping is, it kind of feels like the quick vibration and the chirpiong sound kind of catch up with the speed acceleration or decleration of the car when I press or let up on the gas pedal (if that makes any sense) and then it kind of goes away until I begin to change speeds.

Got ramps? I'd get the car up in the air and start pulling on every suspension component under the front end. With your guess as the driver'* side, it rules out the accessories and belts, but SOMETHING is moving. Does the chirp change frequency with speed of the car, or engine RPM'*?

Not from what I can hear. Both the quick "whomp" followed by that damn chirping nosie never change frequencies based on the speed...It pretty much always sounds the same.

The only thing that changes is the time length of the noise and vibration itself. It rarely happens for more than 2 seconds. A lot of the times it'* a really fast set of chirps. But it does happen whenever the speed of the car seems to change mostly between the 30 mph and 40-45 mph range or whenever you have slow down and then have to accelerate on a highway (like when you go through a toll booth). There is no indication that the trans is not working properly as the fluid and filter have been changed regularly with a trans cooler installed just this year.

I'm sorry I can't explain these noises better than by saying "whomp" and "chirping" but they happen to be the most accurate ways to explain exactly what these noises sound like.

has your car been involved in a front end collision or any work been done to the front requiring hood removal or adjusting?
Ol Blue has a nasty squeaking coming from her. VERY Annoying. I couldn't figure it out -it didn't sound like the brake squeal from a worn pad, nor was it on corners only, it didn't change with engine speed either.
Last week I was leaning on the front of the hood and as I did so I heard the annoying squeak. Grabbed the hood and with slightest pressure moving it up and down it made on hell of a racket (with the hood closed all the way there is almost no play, but there was enough play -about 1/8" for it to make the annoying squeaking).
So grab the front of the hood with it closed, shake it and if it squeaks oil the latch where it hooks to the hood.
Good luck,
Martin

I don't recall any front end damage - but the car was owned by my uncle who was very old when he bought the car new I will check with my father though because he drove the car a lot before it was willed to me a few years ago. If it was, it certainly was never major where I knew about it (I drove my uncle around in this car quite a bit when he was alive), although I will definitely check.

Anyway, this is not as much a squeaking as much as it is (again) a very distinct vibrating and chirping noise coming from the wheel...Anyone who has driven in the car with me and heard the noise point out that the noise is coming from the front drivers side because you can actually feel it as well as hear it. I've never heard or felt it with someone else driving the car.

has your car been involved in a front end collision or any work been done to the front requiring hood removal or adjusting?
Ol Blue has a nasty squeaking coming from her. VERY Annoying. I couldn't figure it out -it didn't sound like the brake squeal from a worn pad, nor was it on corners only, it didn't change with engine speed either.
Last week I was leaning on the front of the hood and as I did so I heard the annoying squeak. Grabbed the hood and with slightest pressure moving it up and down it made on hell of a racket (with the hood closed all the way there is almost no play, but there was enough play -about 1/8" for it to make the annoying squeaking).
So grab the front of the hood with it closed, shake it and if it squeaks oil the latch where it hooks to the hood.
Good luck,
Martin

would this sounds occur while driving? From the wind going under the hood to make it chirp? I just had my hood and passenger side fender replace was in a small accident only going 20mph?